By: Ellis  S.B. No. 342
         (In the Senate - Filed January 26, 2007; February 14, 2007,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Intergovernmental
  Relations; February 28, 2007, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 3, Nays 0; February 28, 2007, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to eligibility requirements for a beginning position in a
  police department in certain municipalities under municipal civil
  service.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 143.105, Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 143.105.  ELIGIBILITY FOR BEGINNING POSITION IN POLICE
  DEPARTMENT.  In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements
  prescribed by Section 143.023, to be certified as eligible for a
  beginning position with a police department, a person must[:
               [(1)]  be at least 21 years of age at the end of the
  probationary period and have:[;]
               (1) [(2)  have] served in the United States armed
  forces and received an honorable discharge; [or]
               (2) [(3)  have] earned at least 60 hours' credit in any
  area of study at an accredited college or university; or
               (3)  been employed full-time for at least five years as
  a peace officer licensed by:
                     (A)  the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer
  Standards and Education; or
                     (B)  an acceptable licensing entity in another
  state that has law enforcement officer licensing requirements
  substantially equivalent to those of Chapter 1701, Occupations
  Code.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a certification of eligibility for a beginning position in a
  police department that occurs on or after the effective date of this
  Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
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